Blanking pattern indication for resource utilization in cellular radio communication

ABSTRACT

A cellular network supports radio communication based on a first configuration which organizes a time-frequency space in first resource elements and radio communication based on a second configuration which organizes the time-frequency space in second resource elements and assigns at least one of the second resource elements to a utilization which is in conflict with the radio communication based on the first configuration. A node of the cellular network sends an indication to a communication device. The indication comprises time domain and/or frequency domain information for defining a pattern comprising at least one of the first resource elements which is to be disregarded by the communication device when performing radio communication with the cellular network based on the first configuration and/or the second configuration. The at least one first resource element of the pattern defines a first part of the time-frequency space which overlaps a second part of the time-frequency space defined by the at least one of the second resource elements.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/505,255, titled “Blanking Pattern Indication for ResourceUtilization in Cellular Radio Communication,” filed Feb. 21, 2017, whichwas the U.S. National Stage filing of PCT application PCT/EP2015/067147,titled “Blanking Pattern Indication for Resource Utilization in CellularRadio Communication,” filed 27 Jul. 2015, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods for controlling radiocommunication in a cellular network and to corresponding devices.

BACKGROUND

When a radio technology evolves by introducing new features, it istypically desirable that later versions of the radio technology arebackward compatible with earlier versions. In this way, both versionscan coexist in the same radio communication system.

An example of such evolution of a radio technology is the LTE (Long TermEvolution) cellular radio technology specified by 3GPP (3rd GenerationPartnership Project). Here, for example a user equipment (UE) accordingto the LTE Release 8 (Rel-8) specifications and a UE according to theLTE Release 10 (Rel-10) specifications may coexist in a cellular networkaccording to the LTE Rel-10 specifications. Further, a UE according tothe LTE Rel-10 specifications could utilize a cellular network accordingto the LTE Rel-8 specifications.

One exemplary difference between the cellular radio technology accordingto LTE Rel-8 and the cellular radio technology according to LTE Rel-10resides in the utilization of reference signals. In LTE Rel-10 ChannelState Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) are defined for the purposeof providing Channel State Information (CSI). As compared to that, inLTE Rel-8, CSI measurements rely on Cell-specific Reference Signals(CRS). A UE supporting LTE Rel-10 (in the following also referred to asRel-10 UE) is aware when and where the CSI-RS are present in thereceived signals. However, such awareness is not present in the case ofa UE supporting only LTE Rel-8 (in the following also referred to asRel-8 UE). As a result, it may occur that the Rel-8 UE assumes that datais present in resource elements that are used for transmitting theCSI-RS. Thus, if the Rel-8 UE would be scheduled for a transmission in asubframe which contains CSI-RS, the transmission would probably fail.While this problem could be mitigated by not scheduling Rel-8 UEs insubframes containing CSI-RS, such exclusion of subframes for an entireclass of UEs may be unduly limiting. Further, also the possibility ofconfiguring zero-power CSI-RS as specified in 3GPP TS 36.213 V12.5.0(2015-03) does not help, because it only allows for configuring certainpredefined CSI-RS constellations as zero power and is not supported forRel-8 UEs.

In a similar manner, features of an earlier version of a radiotechnology may have an impact on a later version of this radiotechnology. For example, the CRS of LTE Rel-8 are typically not neededwhen performing radio communication with Rel-10 UEs. On the other hand,transmission of the CRS may not be deactivated because Rel-8 UEs rely onthem. If the CRSs are not present in a cell, this may prevent a Rel-8 UEfrom connecting to this cell. As a result, the CRSs typically need to betransmitted in all subframes and all Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs),even if currently no Rel-8 UEs are present in the system. Suchrequirement of continued transmission of certain signals may constitutea significant limitation, e.g., with respect to energy efficiency orefficiency of resource utilization.

Accordingly, there is a need for techniques which allow for efficientlycontrolling radio communication in a cellular network supporting radiocommunication based different and potentially conflictingconfigurations.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the invention, a method of controllingradio communication in a cellular network is provided. The cellularnetwork is assumed to support radio communication based on a firstconfiguration which organizes a time-frequency space in first resourceelements and radio communication based on a second configuration whichorganizes the time-frequency space in second resource elements andassigns at least one of the second resource elements to a utilizationwhich is in conflict with the radio communication based on the firstconfiguration. According to the method, a node of the cellular networksends an indication to a communication device. The indication comprisestime domain and/or frequency domain information for defining a patterncomprising at least one of the first resource elements which is to bedisregarded by the communication device when performing radiocommunication with the cellular network based on the first configurationand/or the second configuration. The at least one first resource elementof the pattern defines a first part of the time-frequency space whichoverlaps a second part of the time-frequency space defined by the atleast one of the second resource elements.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a method ofcontrolling radio communication in a cellular network is provided. Thecellular network is assumed to support radio communication based on afirst configuration which organizes a time-frequency space in firstresource elements and radio communication based on a secondconfiguration which organizes the time-frequency space in secondresource elements and assigns at least one of the second resourceelements to a utilization which is in conflict with the radiocommunication based on the first configuration. According to the method,a node of the cellular network receives an indication. The indicationcomprises time domain and/or frequency domain information for defining apattern comprising at least one of the first resource elements. The atleast one of the first resource elements defines a first part of thetime-frequency space which overlaps a second part of the time-frequencyspace defined by the at least one of the second resource elements. Whenperforming radio communication based on the first configuration and/orthe second configuration with a communication device, the nodedisregards the at least one first resource element of the pattern.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a method ofcontrolling radio communication in a cellular network is provided. Thecellular network is assumed to support radio communication based on afirst configuration which organizes a time-frequency space in firstresource elements and radio communication based on a secondconfiguration which organizes the time-frequency space in secondresource elements and assigns at least one of the second resourceelements to a utilization which is in conflict with the radiocommunication based on the first configuration. According to the method,a communication device receives an indication from the cellular network.The indication comprises time domain and/or frequency domain informationfor defining a pattern comprising at least one of the first resourceelements. The at least one of the first resource elements defines afirst part of the time-frequency space which overlaps a second part ofthe time-frequency space defined by the at least one of the secondresource elements. When performing radio communication based on thefirst configuration and/or the second configuration with the cellularnetwork, the communication device disregards the at least one firstresource element of the pattern.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a node for acellular network is provided. The cellular network is assumed to supportradio communication based on a first configuration which organizes atime-frequency space in first resource elements and radio communicationbased on a second configuration which organizes the time-frequency spacein second resource elements and assigns at least one of the secondresource elements to a utilization which is in conflict with the radiocommunication based on the first configuration. The node comprises aninterface to a communication device and at least one processor. The atleast one processor is configured to send an indication to thecommunication device. The indication comprises time domain and/orfrequency domain information for defining a pattern comprising at leastone of the first resource elements which is to be disregarded by thecommunication device when performing radio communication with thecellular network based on the first configuration and/or the secondconfiguration. The at least one first resource element of the patterndefines a first part of the time-frequency space which overlaps a secondpart of the time-frequency space defined by the at least one of thesecond resource elements.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a node for acellular network is provided. The cellular network is assumed to supportradio communication based on a first configuration which organizes atime-frequency space in first resource elements and radio communicationbased on a second configuration which organizes the time-frequency spacein second resource elements and assigns at least one of the secondresource elements to a utilization which is in conflict with the radiocommunication based on the first configuration. The node comprises aninterface to a communication device and at least one processor. The atleast one processor is configured to receive an indication. Theindication comprises time domain and/or frequency domain information fordefining a pattern comprising at least one of the first resourceelements. The at least one of the first resource elements defines afirst part of the time-frequency space which overlaps a second part ofthe time-frequency space defined by the at least one of the secondresource elements. Further, the at least one processor is configured todisregard the at least one first resource element of the pattern whenperforming radio communication based on the first configuration and/orthe second configuration with the communication device.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a communicationdevice is provided. The communication device comprises an interface to acellular network and at least one processor. The cellular network isassumed to support radio communication based on a first configurationwhich organizes a time-frequency space in first resource elements andradio communication based on a second configuration which organizes thetime-frequency space in second resource elements and assigns at leastone of the second resource elements to a utilization which is inconflict with the radio communication based on the first configuration.The at least one processor is configured to receive an indication fromthe cellular network. The indication comprises time domain and/orfrequency domain information for defining a pattern comprising at leastone of the first resource elements. The at least one of the firstresource elements defines a first part of the time-frequency space whichoverlaps a second part of the time-frequency space defined by the atleast one of the second resource elements. Further, the at least oneprocessor is configured to disregard the at least one first resourceelement of the pattern when performing radio communication based on thefirst configuration and/or the second configuration with the cellularnetwork.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a computer programor computer program product is provided, e.g., in the form of anon-transitory storage medium, which comprises program code to beexecuted by at least one processor of a node of a cellular network. Thecellular network is assumed to support radio communication based on afirst configuration which organizes a time-frequency space in firstresource elements and radio communication based on a secondconfiguration which organizes the time-frequency space in secondresource elements and assigns at least one of the second resourceelements to a utilization which is in conflict with the radiocommunication based on the first configuration. Execution of the programcode by the at least one processor causes the node to send an indicationto a communication device. The indication comprises time domain and/orfrequency domain information for defining a pattern comprising at leastone of the first resource elements which is to be disregarded by thecommunication device when performing radio communication with thecellular network based on the first configuration and/or the secondconfiguration. The at least one first resource element of the patterndefines a first part of the time-frequency space which overlaps a secondpart of the time-frequency space defined by the at least one of thesecond resource elements.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a computer programor computer program product is provided, e.g., in the form of anon-transitory storage medium, which comprises program code to beexecuted by at least one processor of a node of a cellular network. Thecellular network is assumed to support radio communication based on afirst configuration which organizes a time-frequency space in firstresource elements and radio communication based on a secondconfiguration which organizes the time-frequency space in secondresource elements and assigns at least one of the second resourceelements to a utilization which is in conflict with the radiocommunication based on the first configuration. Execution of the programcode by the at least one processor causes the node to receive anindication. The indication comprises time domain and/or frequency domaininformation for defining a pattern comprising at least one of the firstresource elements. The at least one of the first resource elementsdefines a first part of the time-frequency space which overlaps a secondpart of the time-frequency space defined by the at least one of thesecond resource elements. Further, execution of the program code by theat least one processor causes the node to disregard the at least onefirst resource element of the pattern when performing radiocommunication based on the first configuration and/or the secondconfiguration with a communication device.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a computer programor computer program product is provided, e.g., in the form of anon-transitory storage medium, which comprises program code to beexecuted by at least one processor of a communication device for acellular network. The cellular network is assumed to support radiocommunication based on a first configuration which organizes atime-frequency space in first resource elements and radio communicationbased on a second configuration which organizes the time-frequency spacein second resource elements and assigns at least one of the secondresource elements to a utilization which is in conflict with the radiocommunication based on the first configuration. Execution of the programcode by the at least one processor causes the communication device toreceive an indication from the cellular network. The indicationcomprises time domain and/or frequency domain information for defining apattern comprising at least one of the first resource elements. The atleast one of the first resource elements defines a first part of thetime-frequency space which overlaps a second part of the time-frequencyspace defined by the at least one of the second resource elements.Further, execution of the program code by the at least one processorcauses the communication device to disregard the at least one firstresource element of the pattern when performing radio communicationbased on the first configuration and/or the second configuration withthe cellular network.

Details of such embodiments and further embodiments will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of configurations which maybe applied for radio communication according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C schematically illustrate exemplary scenarios ofutilizing a blanking pattern indication according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a blanking pattern according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary scenario according to an embodiment ofthe invention, in which the blanking pattern is obtained by combiningmultiple indicated patterns according to logical precedence rules.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary scenario according to an embodiment ofthe invention, in which the blanking pattern is obtained by combiningmultiple indicated patterns according to a sequential order.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary scenario according to an embodiment ofthe invention, in which the blanking pattern depends on a capabilityand/or a transmission mode of a UE which applies the blanking pattern.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary scenario according to an embodiment ofthe invention, in which the applied blanking pattern is time dependent.

FIGS. 8, 9A and 9B illustrate an exemplary scenario according to anembodiment of the invention, in which blanking patterns are combined ina time-dependent manner from patterns of different size.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary scenario according to an embodiment ofthe invention, in which the applied blanking pattern depends onsynchronization to signals.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary scenario in which different blankingpatterns are associated to corresponding beams utilized for radiocommunication.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the invention, which may be implemented by a node of acellular network.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart for illustrating a further method according toan embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented by a node of acellular network.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart for illustrating a further method according toan embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented by acommunication device communicating with a cellular network.

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates structures of a cellular network nodeaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates structures of a communication deviceaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following, concepts in accordance with exemplary embodiments ofthe invention will be explained in more detail and with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments relate to conceptsfor controlling radio communication in a cellular network. Theembodiments specifically refer to a scenario based on utilizing the LTEradio technology. However, it should be understood that the conceptscould also be applied in connection with other radio accesstechnologies, e.g., future evolutions of the LTE radio technology, e.g.,a 5G (5th Generation) cellular radio technology.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of different configurations (CONF #1, CONF#2) which may be applied for radio communication in the cellularnetwork. As illustrated, each configuration is based on organizing atime-frequency space in resource elements (REs). In the illustratedexample, this organization is assumed to be based on a time-frequencygrid as specified for the LTE radio technology. As illustrated, thetime-frequency grid comprises a plurality of REs. In the frequencydomain, each RE extends over a frequency bandwidth corresponding to asubcarrier spacing Δf of 15 kHz. In the time domain, each RE extendsover a time slot Δt having the duration of one Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. In the illustrated example, thefirst configuration and the second configuration are assumed to be basedon the same time-frequency grid, i.e., the same subcarrier widths andthe same modulation symbol durations. However, the first configurationand the second configuration may also be based on differenttime-frequency grids. For example, the first configuration may be basedon a first time-frequency grid and the second configuration may be basedon a second time-frequency grid, and the first time-frequency grid maydiffer with respect to the subcarrier spacing Δf and/or modulationsymbol duration Δt. In the following, the REs of the first configurationwill also be referred to as first REs, and the REs of the secondconfiguration will also be referred to as second REs.

In the illustrated concepts, it is assumed that each configuration mayassign its REs to a certain utilization. Examples of such utilizationare transmission of data, transmission of control signals, ortransmission of reference signals. Further, it is assumed that for atleast one of the second REs the assigned utilization is in conflict withradio communication based on the first configuration. As illustrated,such conflict may arise if a part of the time frequency space defined byone of the first resource elements overlaps a part of the time frequencyspace defined by one of the second resource elements, and this firstresource element and this second resource element are assigned todifferent utilizations. For example, the first resource element could beassigned to transmission of data while the second resource element isassigned to transmission of a reference signal. Further, the firstresource element could be assigned to transmission of a first type ofreference signal and the second resource element could be assigned totransmission of a second type of reference signal which differs from thefirst type of reference signal. Further, the first resource elementcould be assigned to transmission of a reference signal, while thesecond resource element is assigned to no transmission of a referencesignal or to no transmission of any signal.

According to the illustrated concepts, a UE or network node performingradio communication based on the first configuration and/or secondconfiguration can be configured with a blanking pattern which definesREs of the first configuration which are to be disregarded whenperforming radio communication based on the first configuration and/orsecond configuration. In this way, adverse impacts due to theconflicting utilization can be avoided. The configuration of theblanking pattern is accomplished by transmitting an indication, in thefollowing also referred to as “blanking pattern indication”. Theblanking pattern indication includes time domain information and/orfrequency domain information for defining the blanking pattern. Forexample, the time domain information may be provided in the form of atime coordinate, e.g., a symbol index or other time domain coordinate,identifying the time domain position of the RE(s) to be disregarded.Similarly, the frequency domain information may be provided in the formof a frequency coordinate, e.g., a subcarrier index or other frequencydomain coordinate, identifying the frequency domain position of theRE(s) to be disregarded. Further, the time domain information and/orfrequency domain information may include an information element foridentifying groups of the REs, e.g., an index for identifying a PhysicalResource Block (PRB) as defined in the LTE radio technology.Accordingly, the blanking pattern indication could for example comprisea PRB index for identifying a certain PRB, and a subcarrier index and/orsymbol index identifying one or more REs within this PRB.

The blanking pattern indication may for example be used to configure aUE operating according to an older version of the LTE radio technologywith a blanking pattern corresponding to REs which are utilized fortransmission of reference signals of a newer version of the LTE radiotechnology, which are not defined for the older version. In suchexample, the first configuration would correspond to the utilization ofthe time-frequency space according to the older version and the secondconfiguration would correspond to the utilization of the time frequencyspace according to the newer version.

The disregarding of the REs may for example involve mapping no data orreference signals to the REs. In a transmit direction from the entity(UE or network node) disregarding the REs, this effectively means thatthe REs are excluded from carrying transmitted signals. In a receivedirection to the entity disregarding the REs, this effectively meansthat no signals are expected on the REs. However, signals may in fact betransmitted in these REs. The disregarding of the REs may involve ratematching the transmitted or received signals around the disregarded REs.These operations may be accomplished irrespective of otherconfigurations, such as resource allocations for data transmission orconfigured reference signal constellations.

The blanking pattern indication may also comprise information fordefining how the indicated blanking pattern is to be applied. Thisinformation will in the following also be referred to as “usageindicator”. The usage indicator may for example indicate whether theblanking pattern is to be applied for downlink transmissions from thecellular network to the UE or for uplink transmissions from the UE tothe cellular network. Further, the usage indicator may indicate anassociation of the blanking pattern to certain signals (e.g.,synchronization signals) or to certain transmission resources, e.g.,antenna ports. Further, the blanking pattern indication may also includemultiple sets of time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation and further information defining how these sets shall becombined to define the blanking pattern. Each of such multiple sets mayinclude at least one of a time coordinate and a frequency coordinate. Intypical scenarios, one ore more of such multiple sets may include afrequency coordinate and one or more others of such multiple sets mayinclude a time coordinate, so that complex blanking patterns may beefficiently and flexibly defined by the combination of these multiplesets.

The blanking pattern indication may be used to facilitate achievingbackward compatibility when introducing new features to the radiotechnology, which require different utilization of some part of the timefrequency space, e.g., when introducing new reference signals ordeactivating previously supported reference signals. By means of theblanking pattern indication, any entities (communication devices, suchas UEs, but also network nodes, such as base stations or other kinds ofaccess nodes) not supporting the modified utilization of the timefrequency space may be configured to disregard the correspondingresource elements, so that adverse effects on radio communication bythese entities can be avoided. By including the time domain informationand/or frequency domain information in the blanking pattern indication,various kinds of blanking patterns can be defined in a flexible andfuture-proof manner.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show different exemplary scenarios in which theabove-mentioned blanking pattern indication is used to configurecommunication devices and network nodes with the blanking pattern. Theillustrated scenarios involve UEs 10-A and 10-B and base stations 100-Aand 100-B (e.g., eNBs as specified for the LTE radio technology). Someof the illustrated devices, the UE 10-A and the base station 100-B, areassumed to perform radio communication based on the first configuration,while the other devices, the UE 10-B and the base station 100-A, areassumed to perform radio communication based on the secondconfiguration. This may for example be due to the UE 10-A and the basestation 100-B not having support for the second configuration or becausethe support of the second configuration is deactivated for thesedevices. The base station 100-A and optionally also the UE 10-B may inturn support simultaneous utilization of the first configuration and ofthe second configuration.

As illustrated, the UE 10-A is connected by a radio link RL1 to the basestation 100-A and by a further radio link RL2 to the base station 100-B.These radio links are based on the first configuration. These radiolinks RL1, RL2 may be utilized simultaneously, e.g., when performingcooperative radio communication, such as link aggregation, or may beutilized one after the other, e.g., when performing a handover from thebase station 100-A to the base station 100-B. Similarly, the UE 10-B isconnected by a radio link RL3 to the base station 100-A. The radio linksmay for example be based on the Uu interface of the LTE radio technologyThis radio link is based on the second configuration. As furtherillustrated, the base station 100-A and the base station 100-B may beconnected by a backhaul link BHL, e.g., based on the X2 interface of theLTE radio technology.

In the scenario of FIG. 2A, the base station 100-A determines theblanking pattern to be applied for radio communication with the UE 10-A.The base station 100-A, which is aware of the utilization of the timefrequency space in both the first configuration and the secondconfiguration, may determine the blanking pattern by first identifyingthe REs of the second configuration which are assigned to a conflictingutilization and then determining the corresponding REs of the firstconfiguration, which form the blanking pattern. The base station 100-Amay then send a corresponding blanking pattern indication 20 to the UE10-A. As mentioned above, the blanking pattern indication 20 includesthe time domain information and/or frequency domain information fordefining the blanking pattern and optionally also the usage indicator.As illustrated, the blanking pattern indication 20 is sent via the radiolink RL1 connecting the UE 10-A and the base station 100-A. The blankingpattern indication 20 may for example be sent in an information elementof a message of a Radio Link Control (RLC) protocol used for the radiolink RL1. In response to receiving the blanking pattern indication 20,the UE 10-A disregards the REs of the blanking pattern when performingradio communication based on the first configuration, e.g., on the radiolink RL1 or on the radio link RL2.

As further illustrated, the base station 100-A may also send theblanking pattern indication 20 to the UE 10-B, which may be accomplishedvia the radio link RL3 connecting the UE 10-B and the base station100-A. In this case, the blanking pattern indication 20 may for examplebe sent in an information element of a message of an RLC protocol usedfor the radio link RL3. In response to receiving the blanking patternindication 20, the UE 10-B may determine the REs of the secondconfiguration which correspond to the REs of the blanking pattern anddisregard these REs when performing radio communication based on thesecond configuration, e.g., on the radio link RL3.

As further illustrated, the base station 100-A may also send a furtherblanking pattern indication 20′ to the base station 100-B, which may beaccomplished via the backhaul link BHL connecting the base station 100-Aand the base station 100-B. The further blanking pattern indication 20′may have the same or similar content as the blanking pattern indication20, i.e., include the time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation for defining the blanking pattern and optionally also theusage indicator. However, a different message type or protocol type maybe used for transmitting the further blanking pattern indication 20′,i.e., an information element of a message of the X2 ApplicationProtocol. In response to receiving the further blanking patternindication 20′, the base station 100-B may disregard the REs of theblanking pattern when performing radio communication based on the firstconfiguration, e.g., on the radio link RL2.

In the scenario of FIG. 2B, the base station 100-A determines theblanking pattern to be applied for radio communication with the UE 10-Aand sends the blanking pattern indication 20 via the radio link RL1 tothe UE 10-A, similar to the scenario of FIG. 2A. In response toreceiving the blanking pattern indication 20, the UE 10-A disregards theREs of the blanking pattern when performing radio communication based onthe first configuration, e.g., on the radio link RL1 or on the radiolink RL2. Further, the base station 100-A may also send the blankingpattern indication 20 to the UE 10-B, similar to the scenario of FIG.2A. In response to receiving the blanking pattern indication 20, the UE10-B may determine the REs of the second configuration which correspondto the REs of the blanking pattern and disregard these REs whenperforming radio communication based on the second configuration, e.g.,on the radio link RL3.

However, contrary to the scenario of FIG. 2A, the base station 100-Adoes not send the further blanking pattern indication 20′ via thebackhaul link BHL to the base station 100-B. Rather, after receiving theblanking pattern indication 20, the UE 10-A may send a further blankingpattern indication 20′ to the base station 100-B, which may beaccomplished via the radio link RL2 to the base station 100-B. In thiscase, the further blanking pattern indication 20′ may for example besent in an information element of a message of an RLC protocol used forthe radio link RL2. The further blanking pattern indication 20′ may havethe same or similar content as the blanking pattern indication 20, i.e.,include the time domain information and/or frequency domain informationfor defining the blanking pattern and optionally also the usageindicator. In response to receiving the further blanking patternindication 20′, the base station 100-B may disregard the REs of theblanking pattern when performing radio communication based on the firstconfiguration, e.g., on the radio link RL2.

Also in the scenario of FIG. 2C, the base station 100-A determines theblanking pattern to be applied for radio communication with the UE 10-A,similar to the scenarios of FIGS. 2A and 2B. Further, the base station100-A may also send the blanking pattern indication 20 to the UE 10-B,similar to the scenario of FIG. 2A. In response to receiving theblanking pattern indication 20, the UE 10-B may determine the REs of thesecond configuration which correspond to the REs of the blanking patternand disregard these REs when performing radio communication based on thesecond configuration, e.g., on the radio link RL3.

However, contrary to the scenarios of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the base station100-A does not send the blanking pattern indication 20 via the radiolink RL1 to the UE 10-A. Rather, the base station 100-A sends a furtherblanking pattern indication 20′ to the base station 100-B, which may beaccomplished via the backhaul link BHL connecting the base station 100-Aand the base station 100-B. The further blanking pattern indication 20′may have the same or similar content as the blanking pattern indication20, i.e., include the time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation for defining the blanking pattern and optionally also theusage indicator. However, a different message type or protocol type maybe used for transmitting the further blanking pattern indication 20′,i.e., an information element of a message of the X2 ApplicationProtocol. In response to receiving the further blanking patternindication 20′, the base station 100-B may disregard the REs of theblanking pattern when performing radio communication based on the firstconfiguration, e.g., on the radio link RL2. Further, after receiving thefurther blanking pattern indication 20′, the base station 100-B may sendthe blanking pattern indication 20 to the UE 10-A, which may beaccomplished via the radio link RL2. In response to receiving theblanking pattern indication 20, the UE 10-A disregards the REs of theblanking pattern when performing radio communication based on the firstconfiguration, e.g., on the radio link RL1 or on the radio link RL2.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a blanking pattern 300 which may be indicatedby the above-mentioned blanking pattern indication. The blanking pattern300 is defined to cover 12 subcarriers in the frequency domain and 14modulation symbols in the time domain. The blanking pattern 300 may forexample cover a part of the time frequency space which corresponds toone PRB of the LTE radio technology.

As illustrated, the blanking pattern indicates, for each first RE in thecovered part of the time frequency space, whether the RE is blanked,i.e., to be disregarded, or not. If the RE is blanked, it will bedisregarded when performing radio communication. If the RE is notblanked, it may be utilized for radio communication. In FIG. 3, theblanked REs are illustrated by filled boxes, whereas the REs which arenot blanked are illustrated by empty boxes.

As can be seen, each RE of the blanking pattern 300 can be identified bya frequency domain coordinate and by a time domain coordinate. In theillustrated example, the frequency domain coordinate is the subcarrierindex, and the time domain coordinate is the symbol index. The frequencydomain coordinate and the time domain coordinate may be furtherspecified by indicating the PRB in which the blanking pattern 300applies, e.g., in terms of a PRB index. In other scenarios, the PRB inwhich the blanking pattern 300 applies may also be derived from otherinformation. For example, the blanking pattern 300 could be assumed toapply in every PRB or in each PRB which was allocated for transmission.

When assuming that the blanked first REs can be identified by asubcarrier index, a symbol index and a PRB index, as explained above,the blanking pattern indication 300 may define the time domaininformation and/or frequency domain information by a RE index(RE_index), a PRB index (PRB_index) indicating the PRB including theblanked RE, and an indicator (tf_indicator) whether the RE index is tobe interpreted as a subcarrier index or as a symbol index, e.g., in theform of a 3-tuple given by:

$\begin{matrix}{\begin{Bmatrix}{tf\_ indicator} \\{RE\_ index} \\{PRB\_ index}\end{Bmatrix}.} & (1)\end{matrix}$

Here, for example a value of tf_indicator=0 may indicate that RE_indexis to be interpreted as a symbol index, and a value of tf_indicator=1may indicate that RE_index is to be interpreted as a subcarrier index.The blanking pattern indication 300 may include one or more of such3-tuples.

Each of such 3-tuples may be associated with a usage indicator, whichmay include an indicator (UL-DL_indicator) indicating whether the timedomain information and/or frequency domain information specified by the3-tuple applies to the uplink transmission direction from UE to cellularnetwork (corresponding to the transmit direction from the UEperspective) and/or to the downlink transmission direction from cellularnetwork to UE (corresponding to the receive direction from the UEperspective). Further, the usage indicator may include a combingindicator (COMB_indicator) indicating how the time domain informationand/or frequency domain information specified by the 3-tuple shall becombined with the time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation specified by one or more other 3-tuples of the blankingpattern indication. The usage indicator may for example be provided inthe form of a 2-tuple given by:

$\begin{matrix}{\begin{Bmatrix}{{UL} - {DL\_ indicator}} \\{COMB\_ indicator}\end{Bmatrix}.} & (2)\end{matrix}$

For example, a value of UL-DL_indicator=‘DL’ may indicate that the timedomain information and/or frequency domain information specified by the3-tuple applies for the downlink transmission direction, a value ofUL-DL_indicator=‘UL’ may indicate that the time domain informationand/or frequency domain information specified by the 3-tuple applies tothe uplink transmission direction, and a value of UL-DL_indicator=‘DU’may indicate that the time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation specified by the 3-tuple applies to both the downlinktransmission direction and the uplink transmission direction. Thecombining indicator may for example indicate various kinds of logicalcombining operations, e.g., AND, OR, NOT. Further, the combiningindicator may also indicate whether such combining operations are to beapplied according to logical precedence rules, e.g., NOT first, thenAND, then OR, or whether such combining operations are to be applied ina sequential order, e.g., in the order in which the 3-tuples andassociated usage indicators are arranged in the blanking patternindication.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which a first pattern of REs 410, asecond pattern of REs 420, and a third pattern of REs 430, e.g., asdefined by a first 3-tuple, a second 3-tuple, and a third 3-tupleaccording to (1), are combined to a blanking pattern 450 by applyinglogical combinations defined by the corresponding usage indicators andlogical precedence rules.

In the example of FIG. 4, the blanking pattern indication may includethe following elements:

$\begin{matrix}{( {\begin{Bmatrix}0 \\0 \\0\end{Bmatrix},\begin{Bmatrix}{‘{DR}’} \\{‘{OR}’}\end{Bmatrix}} ),( {\begin{Bmatrix}0 \\5 \\0\end{Bmatrix},\begin{Bmatrix}{‘{{DL}‘}} \\{‘{AND}’}\end{Bmatrix}} ),{( {\begin{Bmatrix}1 \\3 \\0\end{Bmatrix},\begin{Bmatrix}{‘{DL}’} \\{‘’}\end{Bmatrix}} )..}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which a first pattern of REs 510, asecond pattern of REs 520, and a third pattern of REs 530, defined inthe same way as in the example of FIG. 4 and assuming the same combiningindicators as in the example of FIG. 4, are combined to a blankingpattern 550 by applying the logical combinations defined by the usageindicators in a sequential order defined by the arrangement of the3-tuples and associated usage indicators in (3).

In some implementations, the combining indicator does not need to beexplicitly included in the blanking pattern indication. Rather, ifmultiple sets of time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation for specifying blanked REs are included in the blankingpattern indication, operations for combining these multiple sets may bederived in an implicit manner, e.g., based on preconfigured rules.Further, in the blanking pattern indication such multiple sets could bearranged in a hierarchical order, i.e., as sets each including subsets,and the combining operation could be determined depending on thishierarchical order. For example, the subsets of a given set could becombined by an ‘OR’ operation (as union of the subsets), and the setscould be combined by an ‘AND’ operation (as intersection of the sets).

In some implementations, the applied blanking pattern may also depend ona capability and/or transmission mode of the UE. For example, thecapabilities of UEs may differ with respect to performing rate-matchingcoded signals around the blanked REs: Some UEs may be capable to performrate matching around individual REs. Some UEs may be capable to performrate matching only around all REs of a given modulation symbol. Further,some UEs may be capable to perform rate matching only around all REs ofa given subcarrier. Further, some UEs may be capable to perform ratematching only around all REs of a given modulation symbol and around allREs of a given subcarrier. These different rate matching capabilitiesmay depend on device characteristics of the UE or on a currenttransmission mode of the UE.

An example of how the blanking pattern applied by different UEs maydepend on the rate matching capability of the individual UE isillustrated in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, a blanking pattern 600 as indicated bythe blanking pattern indication is assumed to be applied for radiocommunication with different UEs (UE0, UE1, UE2, UE3), which differ withrespect to the capability of performing rate matching around the blankedREs.

For a UE which is capable of performing rate matching around individualREs (in the illustrated example UE0) the blanking pattern 600 may beapplied as indicated. For a UE which is capable of performing ratematching only around all REs of a given modulation symbol (in theillustrated example UE1) a blanking pattern 610 may be applied in whichall REs having the same symbol index as the blanked REs of the blankingpattern 600 are blanked as well. For a UE which is capable of performingrate matching only around all REs of a given subcarrier (in theillustrated example UE2) a blanking pattern 620 may be applied in whichall REs having the same subcarrier index as the blanked REs of theblanking pattern 600 are blanked as well. For a UE which is capable ofperforming rate matching only around all REs of a given subcarrier andof a given modulation symbol (in the illustrated example UE3) a blankingpattern 630 may be applied in which all REs having the same subcarrierindex as the blanked REs of the blanking pattern 600 and all REs havingthe same symbol index as the blanked REs of the blanking pattern 600 areblanked as well.

The adaptation of the blanking pattern depending on the UE may beaccomplished at the UE or at the network node communicating with the UE,based on information about the UE, e.g., UE type or current transmissionmode of the UE. Alternatively, the time domain information and/orfrequency domain information of the blanking pattern indication may beadapted accordingly.

In some implementations, the applied blanking pattern may be also timedependent. This may for example be achieved by indicating multipleblanking patterns and an associated time validity in the blankingpattern indication. Further, the blanking pattern could also be acombination of multiple indicated patterns of REs, such as explained inconnection with FIGS. 4 and 5. In such cases the time dependency of theapplied blanking pattern may also be obtained by associating one or moreof these multiple indicated patterns with a time validity. FIG. 7illustrates a corresponding example, in which a first pattern of REs710, a second pattern of REs 720, and a third pattern of REs 730,defined in the same way as in the example of FIG. 4 and assuming thesame combining indicators as in the example of FIG. 4, are combined in atime-dependent manner to either a blanking pattern 750 or to a blankingpattern 760 by applying the logical combinations defined by the usageindicators according to logical precedence rules. In the example of FIG.7, it is assumed that at time T1, e.g., for certain transmission timeintervals, e.g., subframes, defined in the time domain, the patterns710, 720, and 730 are valid, resulting in the applied blanking pattern750, while at time T2, e.g., for other transmission time intervals, onlythe patterns 710 and 720 are valid. The time validity may also definedin terms of periodicities and/or offsets of the indicated patterns. Forexample, in the scenario of FIG. 7 the patterns 710, 720 may be validaccording to a first periodicity, e.g., two times in each transmissiontime interval, and the pattern 730 may be valid according to a secondperiodicity, e.g., one time in each transmission time interval, and withand offset with respect to the validity of the patterns 710, 720, e.g.,an offset of half a transmission time interval. This would result in apartition of the transmission time interval into two halves, oneassociated with the blanking pattern 750 and the other with the blankingpattern 750.

Further, the blanking pattern indication may also be used to configurepatterns of different sizes which are combined in a time dependentmanner to define the applied blanking pattern. An example of acorresponding scenario is illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, by means of the blanking pattern indicationthe base station 100-A may indicate two patterns P1, P2 to the UE 10-A.The patterns P1, P2 have different size, i.e., extend over a differentnumber of subcarriers and/or a different number of modulation symbols.The patterns P1, P2 are used as a basis for forming the blanking patternapplied at different times T1, T2. For this purpose, the patterns P1and/or P2 may be combined in different ways to cover a certain part ofthe time frequency space. For example, such part of the time frequencyspace may be defined by an resource assignment for the UE 10-A. Examplesof corresponding scenarios are illustrated by FIGS. 9A and 9B.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, at T1 a resource assignment 910 for the UE10-A is provided, and multiple instances of the pattern P1 are combined,as indicated by 920, to cover the part of the time frequency spacedefined by the resource assignment 910. The applied blanking pattern 930at T1 corresponds to the intersection of the part of the time frequencyspace defined by the resource assignment 910 and the pattern combination920.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, at T2 a further resource assignment 950 forthe UE 10-A is provided, and multiple instances of the pattern P1, asindicated by 960, and multiple instances of the pattern P2, as indicatedby 970, are combined to cover the part of the time frequency spacedefined by the resource assignment 950. The applied blanking pattern 980at T2 corresponds to the intersection of the part of the time frequencyspace defined by the resource assignment 910 and the pattern combination960, 970.

In some implementations the time validity of a pattern to be used fordefining the applied blanking pattern may also be defined with respectto one or more signals, e.g., a synchronization signal. A correspondingscenario is illustrated by FIG. 10.

In the scenario of FIG. 10, the base station 100-A transmits a firstsignal S1, and the base station 100-B transmits a second signal S2. Thesignals S1, S2 may for example be synchronization signals. The blankingpattern indication is assumed to indicate a first pattern 1010 to besynchronized to the signal S1 and a second pattern to be synchronized tothe signal S2. As illustrated, there is a time offset ΔT(S1, S2) betweenthe signals S1, S2, resulting in a corresponding offset of thesynchronized patterns 1010, 1020. Similar to the scenario of FIGS. 9Aand 9B, the applied blanking pattern 1030 may then correspond to theintersection of a certain part of the time frequency space, e.g., asdefined by a resource assignment, and the combination of thesynchronized patterns 1020, 1030.

In some implementations, the applied blanking pattern may also depend ona transmission resource used for the radio communication, e.g., on abeam or antenna port used for the radio communication. In this way, itcan for example be taken into account that different DemodulationReference Signals (DMRS) are used for different antenna ports or beams,and that accordingly different blanking patterns may be needed todisregard the REs to which transmission of these resource specific DMRSis assigned. A corresponding scenario is illustrated by FIG. 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the base station 100-A may use multiple beamsB1, B2, B3 for performing the radio communication with the UE 10-B.However, the UE 10-A may have no support for the different DMRS asapplied in the beams B1, B2, B3. Accordingly, the blanking patternindication can be used to configure the UE 10-A with a differentblanking pattern 1110, 1120, 1130 associated with each of the beams B1,B2, B3.

It is to be understood that the above-explained various ways ofobtaining the applied blanking pattern from the information included inthe blanking pattern indication may also be combined as appropriate,e.g., to obtain a blanking pattern which is both transmission resourceand time dependent.

FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method of controlling radiocommunication in a cellular network. The method may be used forimplementing the above-described concepts in a node of the cellularnetwork, e.g., in a node corresponding to the base station 100-A ofFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. If a processor based implementation of the node isused, the steps of the method may be performed by one or more processorsof the node, or the one or more processors of the node may control thenode in such a way that the node performs the method. For this purpose,the processor(s) may execute correspondingly configured program code.Further, at least some of the corresponding functionalities may behardwired in the processor(s).

At step 1210, the node controls or performs radio communication with acommunication device, e.g., the UE 10-A or the UE 10-B. The radiocommunication may be based on a first configuration or a secondconfiguration. The first configuration organizes a time-frequency spacein first REs. The second configuration organizes the time-frequencyspace in second REs and assigns at least one of the second REs to autilization which is in conflict with the radio communication based onthe first configuration. The first configuration and the secondconfiguration may for example correspond to the first configuration CONF#1 and the second configuration CONF #2 of FIG. 1.

At step 1220, the node may determine a pattern. The pattern includes atleast one of the first REs which is to be disregarded by thecommunication device when performing radio communication with thecellular network based on the first configuration and/or the secondconfiguration. The at least one first RE of the pattern defines a firstpart of the time-frequency space which overlaps a second part of thetime-frequency space defined by the at least one of the second REs.Examples of such patterns are the above-mentioned blanking patterns 300,450, 550, 600, 610, 620, 630, 750, 760, 810, 820, 930, 980, 1030, 1110,1120, 1130. The node may determine the at least first RE of the patterndepending on the second configuration, e.g., by identifying one or moreof the second REs which are assigned to the conflicting utilization anddetermining the corresponding first RE(s).

In some scenarios, the first configuration defines the first REs basedon a first time-frequency grid and the second configuration defines thesecond REs based on a second time frequency grid which differs from thefirst time frequency grid, e.g., in terms of time domain size of theREs, frequency domain size of the REs, a time domain offset, a frequencydomain offset, or the like. However, the first configuration and thesecond configuration may also differ merely with respect to theutilization assigned to some of the REs.

In some scenarios, the first configuration assigns the at least onefirst RE of the pattern to transmission of downlink and/or uplink dataand the second configuration assigns the at least one of the second REsto transmission of downlink and/or uplink reference signals. In furtherscenarios, the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE ofthe pattern to transmission of downlink and/or uplink reference signalsand the second configuration assigns the at least one of the second REsto no transmission of reference signals.

In some scenarios, the pattern may further depend on at least one of acapability and a transmission mode of the communication device. Forexample, the pattern may depend on a rate matching capability of thecommunication device, e.g., as explained in connection with FIG. 6.

At step 1230, the node sends an indication to the communication device.The indication includes time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation for defining the pattern. For example, the time domaininformation and/or frequency domain information may include at least oneof a carrier index indentifying a radio carrier in the frequency domainand a symbol index identifying a modulation symbol in the time domain,e.g., a subcarrier index and/or symbol index as utilized in the LTEradio technology. Alternatively, also some other form of time domaincoordinate for identifying the time position of a RE and/or frequencydomain coordinate for identifying the frequency position of a RE may beutilized in the indication. Further, also information for identifying acertain part of the time frequency space in which such coordinate(s)apply may be included in the indication, e.g., in the form of a PRBindex as utilized in the LTE radio technology. Examples of suchindication are the above-mentioned blanking pattern indications 20.

The indication may also include information defining whether theoperation of disregarding of the at least one first resource element isto be applied to uplink radio communication from the communicationdevice to the cellular network or to downlink radio communication fromthe cellular network to the communication device, e.g., as part of theabove-mentioned usage indicator.

The indication may also include information defining a set of one ormore transmission time intervals in which the pattern applies, e.g., interms of a repetition pattern or rule, a periodicity, or association tospecific transmission time intervals. The transmission time intervalsmay for example correspond to subframes of the LTE radio technology orto parts thereof. Examples of such time dependency of the pattern wereexplained in connection with FIGS. 7, 8, 9A, and 9B.

The indication may also include information defining a timing of thepattern with respect to one or more signals, e.g., as explained inconnection with FIG. 10.

In some scenarios, the indication may also include at least first timedomain and/or frequency domain information for defining a first patternof the first resource elements and second time domain and/or frequencydomain information for defining a second pattern of the first resourceelements. The pattern may then be a combination of the first pattern andthe second pattern. Corresponding examples of obtaining the pattern bycombining multiple indicated patterns were explained in connection withFIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 10. In such scenarios, the indication may alsoinclude information defining one or more logical operations forcombining the first pattern and the second pattern, e.g., as part of theabove-mentioned usage indicator. In such cases, the indication may alsoinclude information defining a set of one or more transmission timeintervals in which the first pattern applies and information defining aset of one or more transmission time intervals in which the secondpattern applies, e.g., in terms of a repetition pattern or rule, aperiodicity, or association to specific transmission time intervals. Thetransmission time intervals may for example correspond to subframes ofthe LTE radio technology or to parts thereof. An example of such timedependent validity of patterns which are combined was explained inconnection with FIG. 7. Further, the indication may include informationdefining a timing of the first pattern and of the second pattern withrespect to one or more signals, e.g., as explained in connection withFIG. 10.

In some scenarios, the indication may also include information definingan association of the pattern to a transmission resource to which thepattern applies. This transmission resource could for example be anantenna port, a transmission beam, a time or frequency range, e.g., interms of a resource block or resource block group, or a code utilizedfor transmission. An example of a corresponding scenario was explainedin connection with FIG. 11.

The node may send the indication directly via a radio link to thecommunication device, such as in the scenarios of FIGS. 2A and 2B, wherethe base station 100-A sends the blanking pattern indication 20 via theradio link RL1 to the UE 10-A and via the radio link RL3 to the UE 10-B,or may send the indication indirectly via a further node to thecommunication device, such as in the scenario of FIG. 2C, where the basestation 100-A sends first sends the blanking pattern indication 20′ viathe backhaul link BHK to the base station 100-B, which then sends theblanking pattern indication 20 via the radio link RL2 to the UE 10-A.

At step 1240, also the node may disregard the at least one first RE ofthe pattern when performing radio communication based on the firstconfiguration and/or the second configuration. In the latter case, thenode may determine the at least one second resource element, e.g., bydetermining one or more of the second REs which correspond to the atleast one first RE of the pattern, i.e., cover the same or anoverlapping part of the time frequency space, and disregard the at leastone second RE when performing radio communication based on the secondconfiguration.

In some scenarios, the node may also send a further indication to afurther node of the cellular network. The further indication may havethe same or similar content as the indication of step 1230. Inparticular, the further indication may also include the time domainand/or frequency domain information for defining the pattern includingthe at least one of the first REs. By means of the further indication,it is indicated that the at least one first RE of the pattern is also tobe disregarded by the further node when performing radio communicationbased on the first configuration and/or the second configuration. Anexample of such further indication is the further blanking patternindication 20′ as transmitted in the scenario of FIG. 2A from the basestation 100-A to the base station 100-B.

If the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE of thepattern to transmission of data and the second configuration assigns theat least one of the second REs to transmission of reference signals, theoperation of disregarding of the at least one first RE of the patternwhen performing radio communication based on the first configuration mayinvolve comprises mapping the data to a group of the first REs whichexcludes the at least one first RE of the pattern. This may also involverate matching the data around the at least one first RE of the pattern.Further, in this case the operation of disregarding of the at leastfirst RE of the pattern when performing radio communication based on thesecond configuration may involve comprises mapping the reference signalsto a group of the second REs which excludes the at least one of thesecond REs, i.e., the second RE(s) corresponding to the at least onefirst RE of the pattern.

If the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE of thepattern to transmission of reference signals and the secondconfiguration assigns the at least one of the second REs to notransmission of reference signals, the operation of disregarding of theat least one first RE of the pattern when performing radio communicationbased on the first configuration may involve mapping the referencesignals to a group of the first REs which excludes the at least onefirst RE of the pattern. This may also involve rate matching thereference signals around the at least one first RE of the pattern.

In view of the above-described functionalities, a node for implementingthe illustrated concepts may be provided with a module configured tocontrol or perform radio communication based on the first configurationand/or second configuration, such as explained in connection with step1210, a module configured to determine the pattern, such as explained inconnection with step 1220, a module configured to send the indicationincluding the time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation for defining the pattern, such as explained in connectionwith step 1330, and a module configured to disregard REs when performingradio communication based on the first configuration and/or whenperforming radio communication based on the second configuration, suchas explained in connection with step 1240. Further, the node may beprovided with one or more further modules configured to perform furtheroperations as explained in connection with FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method of controlling radiocommunication in a cellular network. The method may be used forimplementing the above-described concepts in a node of the cellularnetwork, e.g., in a node corresponding to the base station 100-B ofFIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. If a processor based implementation of the node isused, the steps of the method may be performed by one or more processorsof the node, or the one or more processors of the node may control thenode in such a way that the node performs the method. For this purpose,the processor(s) may execute correspondingly configured program code.Further, at least some of the corresponding functionalities may behardwired in the processor(s).

At step 1310, the node performs radio communication with a communicationdevice, e.g., the UE 10-A or the UE 10-B. The radio communication may bebased on a first configuration or a second configuration. The firstconfiguration organizes a time-frequency space in first REs. The secondconfiguration organizes the time-frequency space in second REs andassigns at least one of the second REs to a utilization which is inconflict with the radio communication based on the first configuration.The first configuration and the second configuration may for examplecorrespond to the first configuration CONF #1 and the secondconfiguration CONF #2 of FIG. 1.

At step 1320, the node receives an indication. The indication includestime domain information and/or frequency domain information for defininga pattern. The pattern includes at least one of the first REs which isto be disregarded when performing radio communication with thecommunication device based on the first configuration and/or the secondconfiguration. The at least one first RE of the pattern defines a firstpart of the time-frequency space which overlaps a second part of thetime-frequency space defined by the at least one of the second REs.Examples of such patterns are the above-mentioned blanking patterns 300,450, 550, 600, 610, 620, 630, 750, 760, 810, 820, 930, 980, 1030, 1110,1120, 1130. Examples of such indication are the above-mentioned blankingpattern indications 20. The node may determine the pattern based on theindication, and optionally also based on further information.

The time domain information and/or frequency domain information mayinclude at least one of a carrier index indentifying a radio carrier inthe frequency domain and a symbol index identifying a modulation symbolin the time domain, e.g., a subcarrier index and/or symbol index asutilized in the LTE radio technology. Alternatively, also some otherform of time domain coordinate for identifying the time position of a REand/or frequency domain coordinate for identifying the frequencyposition of a RE may be utilized in the indication. Further, alsoinformation for identifying a certain part of the time frequency spacein which such coordinate(s) apply may be included in the indication,e.g., in the form of a PRB index as utilized in the LTE radiotechnology.

In some scenarios, the first configuration defines the first REs basedon a first time-frequency grid and the second configuration defines thesecond REs based on a second time frequency grid which differs from thefirst time frequency grid, e.g., in terms of time domain size of theREs, frequency domain size of the REs, a time domain offset, a frequencydomain offset, or the like. However, the first configuration and thesecond configuration may also differ merely with respect to theutilization assigned to some of the REs.

In some scenarios, the first configuration assigns the at least onefirst RE of the pattern to transmission of downlink and/or uplink dataand the second configuration assigns the at least one of the second REsto transmission of downlink and/or uplink reference signals. In furtherscenarios, the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE ofthe pattern to transmission of downlink and/or uplink reference signalsand the second configuration assigns the at least one of the second REsto no transmission of reference signals.

In some scenarios, the pattern may further depend on at least one of acapability and a transmission mode of the communication device. Forexample, the pattern may depend on a rate matching capability of thecommunication device, e.g., as explained in connection with FIG. 6.

The indication may also include information defining whether theoperation of disregarding of the at least one first resource element isto be applied to uplink radio communication from the communicationdevice to the cellular network or to downlink radio communication fromthe cellular network to the communication device, e.g., as part of theabove-mentioned usage indicator.

The indication may also include information defining a set of one ormore transmission time intervals in which the pattern applies, e.g., interms of a repetition pattern or rule, a periodicity, or association tospecific transmission time intervals. The transmission time intervalsmay for example correspond to subframes of the LTE radio technology orto parts thereof. Examples of such time dependency of the pattern wereexplained in connection with FIGS. 7, 8, 9A, and 9B.

The indication may also include information defining a timing of thepattern with respect to one or more signals, e.g., as explained inconnection with FIG. 10.

In some scenarios, the indication may also include at least first timedomain and/or frequency domain information for defining a first patternof the first resource elements and second time domain and/or frequencydomain information for defining a second pattern of the first resourceelements. The pattern may then be a combination of the first pattern andthe second pattern. Corresponding examples of obtaining the pattern bycombining multiple indicated patterns were explained in connection withFIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 10. In such scenarios, the indication may alsoinclude information defining one or more logical operations forcombining the first pattern and the second pattern, e.g., as part of theabove-mentioned usage indicator. In such cases, the indication may alsoinclude information defining a set of one or more transmission timeintervals in which the first pattern applies and information defining aset of one or more transmission time intervals in which the secondpattern applies, e.g., in terms of a repetition pattern or rule, aperiodicity, or association to specific transmission time intervals. Thetransmission time intervals may for example correspond to subframes ofthe LTE radio technology or to parts thereof. An example of such timedependent validity of patterns which are combined was explained inconnection with FIG. 7. Further, the indication may include informationdefining a timing of the first pattern and of the second pattern withrespect to one or more signals, e.g., as explained in connection withFIG. 10.

In some scenarios, the indication may also include information definingan association of the pattern to a transmission resource to which thepattern applies. This transmission resource could for example be anantenna port, a transmission beam, a time or frequency range, e.g., interms of a resource block or resource block group, or a code utilizedfor transmission. An example of a corresponding scenario was explainedin connection with FIG. 11.

The node may receive the indication via a backhaul link from a furthernode of the cellular network, such as in the scenarios of FIGS. 2A and2B, where the base station 100-B receives the blanking patternindication 20′ via the backhaul link BHL from the base station 100-A.Alternatively, the node may receive the indication via a radio link fromthe communication device, such as in the scenario of FIG. 2B, where thebase station 100-B receives the blanking pattern indication 20′ from theUE 10-A.

In some scenarios, the node may also send a further indication to thecommunication device. The further indication may have the same orsimilar content as the indication of step 1320. In particular, thefurther indication may also include the time domain and/or frequencydomain information for defining the pattern including the at least oneof the first REs. By means of the further indication, it is indicatedthat the at least one first RE of the pattern is also to be disregardedby the communication when performing radio communication based on thefirst configuration and/or the second configuration. An example of suchfurther indication is the blanking pattern indication 20 as transmittedin the scenario of FIG. 2C from the base station 100-B to the UE 10-A.

At step 1330, the node disregards the at least one first RE of thepattern when performing radio communication based on the firstconfiguration and/or the second configuration. In the latter case, thenode may determine the at least one second resource element, e.g., bydetermining one or more of the second REs which correspond to the atleast one first RE of the pattern, i.e., cover the same or anoverlapping part of the time frequency space, and disregard the at leastone second RE when performing radio communication based on the secondconfiguration.

If the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE of thepattern to transmission of data and the second configuration assigns theat least one of the second REs to transmission of reference signals, theoperation of disregarding of the at least one first RE of the patternwhen performing radio communication based on the first configuration mayinvolve comprises mapping the data to a group of the first REs whichexcludes the at least one first RE of the pattern. This may also involverate matching the data around the at least one first RE of the pattern.Further, in this case the operation of disregarding of the at leastfirst RE of the pattern when performing radio communication based on thesecond configuration may involve comprises mapping the reference signalsto a group of the second REs which excludes the at least one of thesecond REs, i.e., the second RE(s) corresponding to the at least onefirst RE of the pattern.

If the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE of thepattern to transmission of reference signals and the secondconfiguration assigns the at least one of the second REs to notransmission of reference signals, the operation of disregarding of theat least one first RE of the pattern when performing radio communicationbased on the first configuration may involve mapping the referencesignals to a group of the first REs which excludes the at least onefirst RE of the pattern. This may also involve rate matching thereference signals around the at least one first RE of the pattern.

In view of the above-described functionalities, a node for implementingthe illustrated concepts may be provided with a module configured toperform radio communication based on the first configuration and/orsecond configuration, such as explained in connection with step 1310, amodule configured to receive the indication including the time domaininformation and/or frequency domain information for defining thepattern, such as explained in connection with step 1320, and a moduleconfigured to disregard REs when performing radio communication based onthe first configuration and/or when performing radio communication basedon the second configuration, such as explained in connection with step1330. Further, the node may be provided with one or more further modulesconfigured to perform further operations as explained in connection withFIG. 13.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method of controlling radiocommunication in a cellular network. The method may be used forimplementing the above-described concepts in a communication deviceoperated in a cellular network, e.g., in a communication devicecorresponding to the UE 10-A or 10-B of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. If aprocessor based implementation of the communication device is used, thesteps of the method may be performed by one or more processors of thecommunication device, or the one or more processors of the communicationdevice may control the node in such a way that the communication deviceperforms the method. For this purpose, the processor(s) may executecorrespondingly configured program code. Further, at least some of thecorresponding functionalities may be hardwired in the processor(s).

At step 1410, the communication device performs radio communication withthe cellular network. The radio communication may be based on a firstconfiguration or a second configuration. The first configurationorganizes a time-frequency space in first REs. The second configurationorganizes the time-frequency space in second REs and assigns at leastone of the second REs to a utilization which is in conflict with theradio communication based on the first configuration. The firstconfiguration and the second configuration may for example correspond tothe first configuration CONF #1 and the second configuration CONF #2 ofFIG. 1.

At step 1420, the communication device receives an indication. Theindication includes time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation for defining a pattern. The pattern includes at least one ofthe first REs which is to be disregarded by the communication devicewhen performing radio communication with the cellular network based onthe first configuration and/or the second configuration. The at leastone first RE of the pattern defines a first part of the time-frequencyspace which overlaps a second part of the time-frequency space definedby the at least one of the second REs. Examples of such patterns are theabove-mentioned blanking patterns 300, 450, 550, 600, 610, 620, 630,750, 760, 810, 820, 930, 980, 1030, 1110, 1120, 1130. Examples of suchindication are the above-mentioned blanking pattern indications 20. Thecommunication device may determine the pattern based on the indication,and optionally also based on further information.

The time domain information and/or frequency domain information mayinclude at least one of a carrier index indentifying a radio carrier inthe frequency domain and a symbol index identifying a modulation symbolin the time domain, e.g., a subcarrier index and/or symbol index asutilized in the LTE radio technology. Alternatively, also some otherform of time domain coordinate for identifying the time position of a REand/or frequency domain coordinate for identifying the frequencyposition of a RE may be utilized in the indication. Further, alsoinformation for identifying a certain part of the time frequency spacein which such coordinate(s) apply may be included in the indication,e.g., in the form of a PRB index as utilized in the LTE radiotechnology.

In some scenarios, the first configuration defines the first REs basedon a first time-frequency grid and the second configuration defines thesecond REs based on a second time frequency grid which differs from thefirst time frequency grid, e.g., in terms of time domain size of theREs, frequency domain size of the REs, a time domain offset, a frequencydomain offset, or the like. However, the first configuration and thesecond configuration may also differ merely with respect to theutilization assigned to some of the REs.

In some scenarios, the first configuration assigns the at least onefirst RE of the pattern to transmission of downlink and/or uplink dataand the second configuration assigns the at least one of the second REsto transmission of downlink and/or uplink reference signals. In furtherscenarios, the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE ofthe pattern to transmission of downlink and/or uplink reference signalsand the second configuration assigns the at least one of the second REsto no transmission of reference signals.

In some scenarios, the pattern may further depend on at least one of acapability and a transmission mode of the communication device. Forexample, the pattern may depend on a rate matching capability of thecommunication device, e.g., as explained in connection with FIG. 6.

The indication may also include information defining whether theoperation of disregarding of the at least one first resource element isto be applied to uplink radio communication from the communicationdevice to the cellular network or to downlink radio communication fromthe cellular network to the communication device, e.g., as part of theabove-mentioned usage indicator.

The indication may also include information defining a set of one ormore transmission time intervals in which the pattern applies, e.g., interms of a repetition pattern or rule, a periodicity, or association tospecific transmission time intervals. The transmission time intervalsmay for example correspond to subframes of the LTE radio technology orto parts thereof. Examples of such time dependency of the pattern wereexplained in connection with FIGS. 7, 8, 9A, and 9B.

The indication may also include information defining a timing of thepattern with respect to one or more signals, e.g., as explained inconnection with FIG. 10.

In some scenarios, the indication may also include at least first timedomain and/or frequency domain information for defining a first patternof the first resource elements and second time domain and/or frequencydomain information for defining a second pattern of the first resourceelements. The pattern may then be a combination of the first pattern andthe second pattern. Corresponding examples of obtaining the pattern bycombining multiple indicated patterns were explained in connection withFIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 10. In such scenarios, the indication may alsoinclude information defining one or more logical operations forcombining the first pattern and the second pattern, e.g., as part of theabove-mentioned usage indicator. In such cases, the indication may alsoinclude information defining a set of one or more transmission timeintervals in which the first pattern applies and information defining aset of one or more transmission time intervals in which the secondpattern applies, e.g., in terms of a repetition pattern or rule, aperiodicity, or association to specific transmission time intervals. Thetransmission time intervals may for example correspond to subframes ofthe LTE radio technology or to parts thereof. An example of such timedependent validity of patterns which are combined was explained inconnection with FIG. 7. Further, the indication may include informationdefining a timing of the first pattern and of the second pattern withrespect to one or more signals, e.g., as explained in connection withFIG. 10.

In some scenarios, the indication may also include information definingan association of the pattern to a transmission resource to which thepattern applies. This transmission resource could for example be anantenna port, a transmission beam, a time or frequency range, e.g., interms of a resource block or resource block group, or a code utilizedfor transmission. An example of a corresponding scenario was explainedin connection with FIG. 11.

The communication device may receive the indication via a radio linkfrom a node of the cellular network, such as in the scenarios of FIGS.2A, 2B, and 2C, where the UEs 10-A, 10-B receive the blanking patternindication 20 from the base station 100-A or 100-B.

In some scenarios, the communication device may also send a furtherindication to a node of the cellular network. The further indication mayhave the same or similar content as the indication of step 1420. Inparticular, the further indication may also include the time domainand/or frequency domain information for defining the pattern includingthe at least one of the first REs. By means of the further indication,it is indicated that the at least one first RE of the pattern is also tobe disregarded by the node when performing radio communication based onthe first configuration and/or the second configuration. An example ofsuch further indication is the blanking pattern indication 20′ astransmitted in the scenario of FIG. 2B from the UE 10-A to the basestation 100-B.

At step 1430, the communication device disregards the at least one firstRE of the pattern when performing radio communication based on the firstconfiguration and/or the second configuration. In the latter case, thenode may determine the at least one second resource element, e.g., bydetermining one or more of the second REs which correspond to the atleast one first RE of the pattern, i.e., cover the same or anoverlapping part of the time frequency space, and disregard the at leastone second RE when performing radio communication based on the secondconfiguration.

If the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE of thepattern to transmission of data and the second configuration assigns theat least one of the second REs to transmission of reference signals, theoperation of disregarding of the at least one first RE of the patternwhen performing radio communication based on the first configuration mayinvolve comprises mapping the data to a group of the first REs whichexcludes the at least one first RE of the pattern. This may also involverate matching the data around the at least one first RE of the pattern.Further, in this case the operation of disregarding of the at leastfirst RE of the pattern when performing radio communication based on thesecond configuration may involve comprises mapping the reference signalsto a group of the second REs which excludes the at least one of thesecond REs, i.e., the second RE(s) corresponding to the at least onefirst RE of the pattern.

If the first configuration assigns the at least one first RE of thepattern to transmission of reference signals and the secondconfiguration assigns the at least one of the second REs to notransmission of reference signals, the operation of disregarding of theat least one first RE of the pattern when performing radio communicationbased on the first configuration may involve mapping the referencesignals to a group of the first REs which excludes the at least onefirst RE of the pattern. This may also involve rate matching thereference signals around the at least one first RE of the pattern.

In view of the above-described functionalities, a communication devicefor implementing the illustrated concepts may be provided with a moduleconfigured to perform radio communication based on the firstconfiguration and/or second configuration, such as explained inconnection with step 1410, a module configured to receive the indicationincluding the time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation for defining the pattern, such as explained in connectionwith step 1420, and a module configured to disregard REs when performingradio communication based on the first configuration and/or whenperforming radio communication based on the second configuration, suchas explained in connection with step 1430. Further, the communicationdevice may be provided with one or more further modules configured toperform further operations as explained in connection with FIG. 14.

It should be noted that the above concepts may also be implemented in asystem including a node operating according to the method of FIG. 12 anda communication device operating according to the method of FIG. 14.Further, the above concepts may also be implemented in a systemincluding a node operating according to the method of FIG. 13 and acommunication device operating according to the method of FIG. 14.Further, the above concepts may also be implemented in a systemincluding a node operating according to the method of FIG. 12 and a nodeoperating according to the method of FIG. 13. Further, the aboveconcepts may also be implemented in a system including a node operatingaccording to the method of FIG. 12, a node operating according to themethod of FIG. 13, and a communication device operating according to themethod of FIG. 14.

FIG. 15 illustrates exemplary structures which may be used forimplementing the above concepts in a node of a cellular network, e.g.,the base station 100-A or 100-B.

As illustrated, the node may include an interface 1510 for connecting tocommunication devices, e.g., to the UEs 10-A, 10-B. If the nodecorresponds to a base station or other kind of radio access node, theinterface 1510 may be a radio interface. The interface 1510 may beutilized for sending the above-mentioned blanking pattern indication toa communication device. Further, the interface 1510 may be utilized forreceiving the above-mentioned blanking pattern indication from acommunication device. Further, the interface 1510 may be utilized forcontrolling or performing radio communication with the communicationdevices.

Further, the node includes one or more processors 1550 coupled to theinterface 1510, and a memory 1560 coupled to the processor(s) 1550. Thememory 1560 may include a Read Only Memory (ROM), e.g., a flash ROM, aRandom Access Memory (RAM), e.g., a Dynamic RAM (DRAM) or Static RAM(SRAM), a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solid state disk, or thelike. The memory 1560 includes suitably configured program code to beexecuted by the processor(s) 1550 so as to implement the above-describedfunctionalities of a cellular network node. In particular, the memory1560 may include various program code modules for causing the node toperform processes as described above, e.g., corresponding to the methodsteps of FIG. 12 or 13. As illustrated, the memory 1560 may include aradio control module 1570 for implementing the above-describedfunctionalities of performing or controlling radio communication, e.g.,as explained in connection with step 1210 of FIG. 12 or step 1310 ofFIG. 13. Further, the memory 1560 may include a pattern processingmodule 1580 for implementing the above-described functionalities ofdetermining the blanking pattern to be sent or to be applied by thenode, such as explained in connection with step 1220 of FIG. 12 or step1320 of FIG. 13. Further, the memory 1560 may include a signaling module1590 for implementing the above-described functionalities of sending orreceiving the blanking pattern indication.

It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 15 aremerely schematic and that the node may actually include furthercomponents which, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated,e.g., further interfaces or processors. Also, it is to be understoodthat the memory 1560 may include further types of program code modules,which have not been illustrated, e.g., program code modules forimplementing known functionalities of a cellular network base station,such as an eNB of the LTE radio technology. According to someembodiments, also a computer program may be provided for implementingfunctionalities of the node, e.g., in the form of a physical mediumstoring the program code and/or other data to be stored in the memory1560 or by making the program code available for download or bystreaming.

FIG. 16 illustrates exemplary structures which may be used forimplementing the above concepts in a communication device, e.g., the UE10-A or 10-B.

As illustrated, the communication device may include a radio interface1610 for connecting to a cellular network. For example, the radiointerface 1610 may correspond to a radio interface as specified for theLTE radio technology. The interface 1610 may be utilized for receivingthe above-mentioned blanking pattern indication from a node of thecellular network. Further, the interface 1610 may be utilized forsending the above-mentioned blanking pattern indication to a node of thecellular network. Further, the interface 1610 may be utilized forperforming radio communication with the cellular network.

Further, the communication device includes one or more processors 1650coupled to the radio interface 1610, and a memory 1660 coupled to theprocessor(s) 1650. The memory 1660 may include a ROM, e.g., a flash ROM,a RAM, e.g., a DRAM or SRAM, a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solidstate disk, or the like. The memory 1660 includes suitably configuredprogram code to be executed by the processor(s) 1650 so as to implementthe above-described functionalities of a communication device. Inparticular, the memory 1660 may include various program code modules forcausing the communication device to perform processes as describedabove, e.g., corresponding to the method steps of FIG. 14. Asillustrated, the memory 1660 may include a radio control module 1670 forimplementing the above-described functionalities of performing radiocommunication, e.g., as explained in connection with step 1410 of FIG.14. Further, the memory 1660 may include a pattern processing module1680 for implementing the above-described functionalities of determiningthe blanking pattern to be sent or to be applied by the communicationdevice, such as explained in connection with step 1420 of FIG. 14.Further, the memory 1660 may include a signaling module 1690 forimplementing the above-described functionalities of sending or receivingthe blanking pattern indication.

It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 16 aremerely schematic and that the communication device may actually includefurther components which, for the sake of clarity, have not beenillustrated, e.g., further interfaces or processors. Also, it is to beunderstood that the memory 1660 may include further types of programcode modules, which have not been illustrated, e.g., program codemodules for implementing known functionalities of a UE. According tosome embodiments, also a computer program may be provided forimplementing functionalities of the communication device, e.g., in theform of a physical medium storing the program code and/or other data tobe stored in the memory 1660 or by making the program code available fordownload or by streaming.

As can be seen, the concepts as described above may be used forimproving compatibility of communication devices or network nodes withrespect to conflicting utilization of radio resources in differentconfigurations, such as configurations according to different versionsof the same radio technology or even configurations according todifferent radio technologies. By providing the blanking patternindication with the time domain information and/or frequency domaininformation, it becomes possible to flexibly define REs which are to bedisregarded, thereby avoiding adverse impact due to conflictingutilization assignments of these REs by the different configurations.

It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments as explainedabove are merely illustrative and susceptible to various modifications.For example, various formats may be utilized for the blanking patternindication, and various kinds of protocols or messages may be utilizedfor conveying the blanking pattern indication. Further, it is to beunderstood that the above-mentioned first and second configuration aremerely exemplary, and that the illustrated concepts may be applied withrespect to any constellation in which different configurations used forradio communication are possibly affected by conflicting utilizationassignments of radio resources. Further, it is to be understood that theillustrated nodes may be implemented by a single device or by a systemof multiple devices. Moreover, it is to be understood that the aboveconcepts may be implemented by using correspondingly designed softwareto be executed by one or more processors of an existing device, or byusing dedicated device hardware.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method implemented by a base station ofindicating a blanking pattern to be applied to a time-frequency gridcomprising a plurality of resource elements, said method comprising:sending, to a communication device, an indication for defining a firstpattern to be applied to first resource elements used for communicationaccording to a first configuration; sending, to the communicationdevice, an indication for defining a second pattern to be applied to thefirst resource elements; wherein a logical combination of the firstpattern and the second pattern define a blanking pattern indicating atleast one blanked resource element to be disregarded when communicatingusing the first resource elements.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein thecommunication device comprises one of: a user equipment (UE)communicating with the base station using the first resource elements;and a second base station communicating with a user equipment using thefirst resource elements.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprisingsending the first and second patterns to a second communication deviceusing second resource elements according to second configuration,wherein the second resource elements include at least one resourceelement assigned to a utilization that conflicts with the blankedresource element.
 4. A method of radio communication implemented by auser equipment (UE) in a cellular network, said method comprising:receiving, from a first base station, an indication for defining a firstpattern to be applied to first resource elements used for communicationaccording to a first configuration; receiving, from the first basestation, an indication for defining a second pattern to be applied thefirst resource elements; combining the first pattern and the secondpattern to obtain a blanking pattern indicating at least one blankedresource element in the first resource elements; and disregarding theblanked resource elements of the first resource elements orcorresponding ones of second resource elements used for communicationaccording to a second configuration when communicating using the firstresource elements or the second resource elements respectively.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising sending, by the communicationdevice, the first and second patterns to a second base station using thefirst resource element for communications with the UE.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the first configuration assigns the blanked resourceelement of the blanking pattern to transmission of data and the secondconfiguration assigns corresponding ones of the second resource elementsto transmission of reference signals.
 7. The method of claim 6 whereinthe disregarding comprises mapping the data to a group of the firstresource elements that excludes the blanked resource element of theblanking pattern.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the disregardingcomprises mapping the reference signals to a group of the secondresource elements which excludes the corresponding ones of the secondresource elements.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein the firstconfiguration assigns the blanked resource element of the blankingpattern to transmission of reference signals.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the disregarding the blanked resource element of the blankingpattern when performing radio communication based on the firstconfiguration comprises mapping the reference signals to a group of thefirst resource elements that excludes the blanked resource element ofthe blanking pattern.
 11. The method of claim 4, wherein the firstconfiguration defines the first resource elements based on a firsttime-frequency grid and the second configuration defines the secondresource elements based on a second time frequency grid which differsfrom the first time frequency grid.
 12. The method of claim 4, whereincombining the first pattern and the second pattern to obtain a blankingpattern comprises combining the first pattern and the second patternaccording to one or more logical operations for combining the firstpattern and the second pattern.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein thelogical combination of the first pattern and the second patterncomprises an intersection of the first pattern and the second pattern.14. The method of claim 4, wherein each of the first pattern and thesecond pattern comprise time domain and/or frequency domain information.15. The method of claim 14 wherein the time domain and/or frequencydomain information comprises at least one of a carrier index identifyinga radio carrier in the frequency domain and a symbol index identifying amodulation symbol in the time domain.
 16. A base station in a cellularnetwork, said base station comprising: an interface for communicatingwith a communication device; and processing circuitry configured to:send, to a communication device, an indication for defining a firstpattern to be applied to first resource elements used for communicationaccording to a first configuration; send, to the communication device,an indication for defining a second pattern to be applied to the firstresource elements; wherein a logical combination of the first patternand the second pattern define a blanking pattern indicating at least oneblanked resource element to be disregarded when communicating using thefirst resource elements.
 17. The base station of claim 16 wherein thecommunication device comprises one of: a user equipment (UE)communicating with the base station using the first resource elements;and a second base station communicating with a user equipment using thefirst resource elements.
 18. The base station of claim 16 wherein theprocessing circuit is further configured to send the first and secondpatterns to a second communication device using second resource elementsaccording to second configuration, wherein the second resource elementsinclude at least one resource element assigned to a utilization thatconflicts with the blanked resource element.
 19. A communication device,comprising: an interface for communicating with a base station in acellular network; and processing circuitry configured to: receive, froma first base station, an indication for defining a first pattern to beapplied to first resource elements used for communication according to afirst configuration; receive, from the first base station, an indicationfor defining a second pattern to be applied the first resource elements;combine the first pattern and the second pattern to obtain a blankingpattern indicating at least one blanked resource element in the firstresource elements; and disregard the blanked resource elements of thefirst resource elements or corresponding ones of second resourceelements used for communication according to a second configuration whencommunicating using the first resource elements or the second resourceelements respectively.
 20. The communication device according to claim19, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to send thefirst and second patterns to a second base station using the firstresource element for communications with the UE.
 21. The communicationdevice according to claim 19, wherein the first configuration assignsthe blanked resource element of the blanking pattern to transmission ofdata and the second configuration assigns the blanked resource elementsto transmission of reference signals.
 22. The communication deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein the processing circuit is furtherconfigured to map the data to a group of the first resource elementsthat excludes the blanked resource element of the blanking pattern. 23.The communication device according to claim 21, wherein the processingcircuit is further configured to map the reference signals to a group ofthe second resource elements which excludes the corresponding ones ofthe second resource elements.
 24. The communication device according toclaim 19, wherein the first configuration assigns the blanked resourceelement of the blanking pattern to transmission of reference signals andthe second configuration assigns the blanked resource element to notransmission of reference signals.
 25. The communication deviceaccording to claim 24, wherein the processing circuit is furtherconfigured to map the reference signals to a group of the first resourceelements that excludes the blanked resource element of the blankingpattern.
 26. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein thefirst configuration defines the first resource elements based on a firsttime-frequency grid and the second configuration defines the secondresource elements based on a second time frequency grid which differsfrom the first time frequency grid.
 27. The communication deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein the processing circuit is furtherconfigured to combine the first pattern and the second pattern accordingto one or more logical operations for combining the first pattern andthe second pattern.
 28. The communication device according to claim 27,wherein the processing circuit is further configured to determine theblanking pattern as an intersection of the first pattern and the secondpattern.
 29. The communication device according to claim 19, whereineach of the first pattern and the second pattern comprise time domainand/or frequency domain information.
 30. The communication deviceaccording to claim 19, wherein the time domain and/or frequency domaininformation comprises at least one of a carrier index identifying aradio carrier in the frequency domain and a symbol index.